Notre Dame Punter Bryce McFerson Enters The Transfer Portal

Notre Dame junior punter Bryce McFerson has entered the transfer portal

Notre Dame punter Bryce McFerson (14) during the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring Football game on / Greg Swiercz / USA TODAY NETWORK

Notre Dame will need a new punter in 2024 now that junior Bryce McFerson has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. McFerson made the announcement today on Twitter/X, which is the first day that players could officially jump in the portal.

"I would like to thank Coach Freeman, Coach Biagi, and Coach Schmitt for the opportunity to play on the biggest stage in college football at an amazing institution like Notre Dame. I've grown so much in my two years here, and I am very grateful for the relationships I've made along the way. That being said, I am entering the transfer portal with three years of eligibility."

McFerson was Notre Dame's starting punter in 2023. He averaged 45.1 yards per punt, but his 38 total punts did not qualify for national rankings. The North Carolina native would have ranked 19th nationally if he did quality for the rankings.

While his overall ranking was strong, the Notre Dame punt coverage unit ranked just 96th in opponent return average. McFerson had just 10 fair catches on his punts, and only five finished inside the opponent 20-yard line, compared to 28 fair catches and 21 punts inside the 20-yard line by Jon Sot the previous season, and 24 fair catches and 19 inside the 20-yard line by Jay Bramblett in 2021.

Notre Dame brought in Eric Goins this offseason, and the former punter at The Citadel was challenging McFerson, as was walk-on Chris Salerno. Notre Dame will either turn to one of those two current players, or it could jump on another punter that enters the portal.

McFerson is the second Notre Dame players to jump in the portal this spring. Cornerback Clarence Lewis already announced his decision to jump in the portal in early April. Lewis could make the decision earlier since he's already a graduate. Lewis announced today that he'll be going to Syracuse.

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